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Kylian Mbappe is set to leave Paris Saint Germain this summer but where is his most likely destination based on the financial strengths and tactical needs of each of his suitors?
French superstar Kylian Mbappe has revealed his decision to leave Paris Saint Germain when his current contract expires in the summer of 2024.
The 24-year-old signed a two-year contract with the French giants in 2022 with a player option to extend for one more year till 2025.
However, he has now informed the club that he will not be taking up his player option which means the club either has to sell him now or risk losing their biggest asset for free next summer.
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Reports indicate that PSG will be looking to sell him off this summer with four major destinations touted but where will he end up? Here is a look at the teams he has been strongly linked with in descending order of likelihood.
Real Madrid
The love story between Mbappe and Real Madrid is the worst-kept secret in football as both parties have openly flirted with one another in the recent past.
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23:59 - 12.06.2023
Real Madrid president Perez gives update on Mbappe pursuit
Kylian Mbappe has decided not to trigger a one-year extension on his current deal with Paris Saint-Germain and naturally, all heads are looking to Real Madrid for a reaction
Los Blancos already publicly tried to sign Mbappe last summer but the French superstar turned them down to extend with PSG for two more years.
A year after the said extension though, Mbappe’s announcement coincides with Real Madrid’s very public search for a new striker to replace the departed Karim Benzema.
Naturally, Mbappe has been linked to the club that previously wanted him and also now needs a striker urgently it only makes sense.
But Mbappe has now come out to deny reports of him joining Real Madrid or any other club for that matter this summer as he intends to honour his contract and then leave as a free agent in 2024.
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Also from a tactical perspective, the move does not exactly work as Mbappe is a totally different type of player from Benzema and even though he can function as a centre-forward, he is more of a left winger, a position that is currently occupied by the high-rising Vinicius Jr.
With all of that said, it is still likely that Real Madrid will be Mbappe’s next destination as they are his dream club and can also afford him.
Manchester United
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Mbappe since he was a teenager at Monaco and now have another chance to sign the French star.
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And though this is admittedly still a longshot, United are in a better position to sign Mbappe than they have ever been and here is why.
The club can clearly afford him as they are known for extravagant transfer fees and wages so accommodating Mbappe’s financial demands will not be a problem.
Their position is further strengthened by the reported successful takeover of the club by Qatari billionaire, Sheikh Jassim who would be looking to bring a marquee signing to Old Trafford to consolidate their new position.
Another potential draw to Manchester United would be the opportunity to form a direct rivalry with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland with both players touted as the potential GOATs of this generation.
All of the above is entirely circumstantial though and it would still be a surprise if Kylian Mbappe signs for Manchester United this summer or even the next.
Chelsea
Chelsea have been mentioned along with Mbappe since this saga began but then again the West London club is linked with almost every footballer on earth so this is not exactly special.
It was not going to be long before Todd Boehly’s transfer roulette landed on Mbappe but it is highly unlikely that the PSG superstar will be heading to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have nothing else to offer Mbappe other than money which he already has in abundance at PSG and is also being offered in high quantity by other serious clubs.
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12:24 - 13.06.2023
Kylian Mbappe: Chelsea monitoring situation after PSG star declares he wants to leave
Chelsea are reportedly one of the clubs of the clubs that could capitalise on Kylian Mbappe's situation at PSG.
The Blues finished last season 12th on the log and trophyless with no European football to offer Mbappe or even a decent project at the very least, there is no attraction for the 24-year-old.
In fact, the links to Chelsea are more likely routine transfer talk as we are in the season of speculations beyond anything concrete. Mbappe is more likely to extend his PSG contract than sign for Chelsea.
Arsenal
As unlikely as Chelsea are to sign Mbappe, they are still the London club with the biggest chance as Arsenal are also being linked with the transfer.
The biggest reason Arsenal will most likely not sign Mbappe now or ever is money as the North London club are notoriously stingy in transfer windows.
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Even if they were willing to splurge uncharacteristically, whether or not they can afford him is a big question.
In the unlikely event that Mbappe is interested in Arsenal and the Gunners also are able to afford him, the issue of his personality fitting into the team is another roadblock.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is famous for his issues with egoistic players while Mbappe has an ego the size of Paris, one can already foresee potential problems in their relationship.
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